As a counter point to this thread, someone started a thread called Luke Warmadox. I said something like this some months ago on this thread and most thought I was being a bore.I have to admit that Hyperdox makes me chuckle from time to time, but I have been thinking about this in relation to both threads and I will break the Forum rules and quote at length something that both those who think Hyperdox or Warmadox is descriptive of the faith of others and somehow makes one feel superior to either one.

The same post is going up on Warmadox's as well. We Christians get mocked enough in this world by those who lack Faith, we ought not to be mocking each other.

The Publican and the Pharisee from GOARCH.org....

This is the story of two men, one a Pharisee, a member of a Jewish sect known for its diligent observance of the Law, and the other a Publican, a government official charged with the responsibility of collecting taxes.Both men enter the temple, and the Pharisee stands openly and prays, thanking God that he is not like other men, specifically extortioners, the unjust, adulterers, “or even this tax collector” (v. 11). He then begins to list his religious accomplishments by stating, “I fast twice a week, and I give tithes of all that I possess” (v. 12).In direct contrast to the pride of the Pharisee, the Publican goes to a place where he will not be noticed by others and beats his breast saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (v. 13).Having told this story, Jesus affirms that it was the Publican who returned home justified and forgiven rather than the Pharisee. He states, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 14).The theme of this parable is repentance. Repentance is the door through which we enter Lent, the starting-point of the journey to Pascha. To repent signifies far more than self-pity or futile regret over things done in the past. The Greek term metanoia means “change of mind.” To repent is to be renewed, to be transformed in our inward viewpoint, to attain a fresh way of looking at our relationship with God and with others. The fault of the Pharisee is that he has no desire to change his outlook; he is complacent, self-satisfied, and so he allows no place for God to act within him. The Gospel depicts him as a man that is pleased only with himself who thinks that he has complied with all of the requirements of religion. But in his pride, he has falsified the meaning of true religion and faith. He has reduced these to external observations, measuring his piety by the amount of money he gives.The Publican, on the other hand, truly longs for a “change of mind.” He humbles himself, and his humility justifies him before God. He becomes, in the words of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3), “poor in spirit.” He acknowledges that he is a sinner, and he knows that salvation is only found in the mercy of God. Here we find an example of true humility, an essential aspect of repentance. A “change of mind” and the transformation of our lives can only happen when we humble ourselves before God, acknowledge our willingness to turn from sin, and receive His grace into our lives.http://lent.goarch.org/publicanpharisee/learn/

We Christians get mocked enough in this world by those who lack Faith, we ought not to be mocking each other.

I don't look at it as mocking each other, but rather that we can take a step back and laugh at ourselves. Indeed sometimes we do get so passionate for the Lord that we become irrational. That is why we have Fundamentalists in this world. Lauging at ourselves makes sure we maintain our sanity. Overzealousness can lead to bad things as well.

We Christians get mocked enough in this world by those who lack Faith, we ought not to be mocking each other.

I don't look at it as mocking each other, but rather that we can take a step back and laugh at ourselves. Indeed sometimes we do get so passionate for the Lord that we become irrational. That is why we have Fundamentalists in this world. Lauging at ourselves makes sure we maintain our sanity. Overzealousness can lead to bad things as well.

There is a distinction between laughing at ourselves and laughing at others. I have to confess that the Warmadox thread is the one o which I saw more snarky laughing going on at the expense of other's than at Hyperdox Herman.

We Christians get mocked enough in this world by those who lack Faith, we ought not to be mocking each other.

I don't look at it as mocking each other, but rather that we can take a step back and laugh at ourselves. Indeed sometimes we do get so passionate for the Lord that we become irrational. That is why we have Fundamentalists in this world. Lauging at ourselves makes sure we maintain our sanity. Overzealousness can lead to bad things as well.

And there is a difference between laughing at our own expense and the expense of others. Which, if you read some of the Hyperdox Herman memes, they reference mockery to real people.

"Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end of action, to the reductio ad absurdum of practice. Not I."-Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying

"Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end of action, to the reductio ad absurdum of practice. Not I."-Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying

Firstly - with Syrians/Indians (Dec 25), then - with Armenians (Jan 6), then - with Copts, Ethiopians and Eritreans (Jan 7), and finally, with Old Calendar Armenians (Jan 19).

Ah, OK. I figured it would have something to do with the various calendars across different OO jurisdictions. I was just a bit confused because typically we don't celebrate the nativity on separate dates with our sister OO Churches.

Anyway, good meme.

« Last Edit: October 06, 2012, 05:01:20 PM by Severian »

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"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -Jesus Christ

"Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end of action, to the reductio ad absurdum of practice. Not I."-Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying

"Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end of action, to the reductio ad absurdum of practice. Not I."-Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying

Sure, before Chalcedon everyone recited the 325 version. Ever read the acts of Ephesus I? The 381 version was rescued from oblivion by Marcian and his officials to show the council fathers that changes could be made to the creed and that even a new creed could be created.

« Last Edit: October 06, 2012, 05:24:47 PM by Cyrillic »

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"Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end of action, to the reductio ad absurdum of practice. Not I."-Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying

I thought it was Peter the Fuller who first implemented the recitation of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed? Are you sure our recitation of the full creed has to do with Chalcedonian influence?

I'm pretty sure that without Chalcedon we'd sing the 325 one.

(PS: my previous post was edited)

« Last Edit: October 06, 2012, 05:27:09 PM by Cyrillic »

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"Who wants to be consistent? The dullard and the doctrinaire, the tedious people who carry out their principles to the bitter end of action, to the reductio ad absurdum of practice. Not I."-Oscar Wilde, The Decay of Lying